of the Sand Monopoly to the Civil Engineering Office from the Government Supplies Department; the corresponding revenue from the sale of sand amounted to $19,993,488;
(b) an increase in demand for quarry products which raised the cost of production to $4,816,387, approximately $1,400,000 more than in 1970-71; revenue from the sale of quarry products also increased by nearly $2 million to $8,082,475;
(c) the high incidence of typhoons and rainstorms during the year, particularly typhoon 'Rose' in August 1971, necessitating the expenditure of $1,730,105 on urgent remedial works, compared with $847,934 in the previous year;
(d) further increases in maintenance contract rates and the amount of maintenance work carried out.
Electrical and Mechanical Office
2.21 The Electrical and Mechanical Office is one of the largest sub-departments of the Public Works Department with a total establishment of more than 4,200. This sub-department is responsible for the maintenance, servicing and repair of the Government vehicle fleet, together with all electrical, mechanical and air-conditioning plant and equipment other than that contained in Waterworks projects and certain building services.
2.22 The expenditure incurred in discharging these responsibilities amounted to $12,486,206 in 1971-72 compared with $10,455,611 in the previous year, an increase of 19.42%. Furthermore, expenditure arising from the sub-department's responsibilities under the Defence Costs Agreement amounted to $1,761,603 excluding personal emoluments. This considerable increase in expenditure was principally because of the expansion of the work force which brought about a higher output in the workshop. The other factors were the substantial increase in the cost of electrical and mechanical spares and the very much higher contract rates for vehicle body building and other works.
2.23 Since the resignation of the previous incumbent in May 1970 the post of Treasury Accountant (E. & M. Office) still remains unfilled. Under the guidance of one Senior Accounting Assistant and two Accounting Assistants the accounts office of this sub-department...
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